05.01. Looking for a Hero- Joseph
Looking for a Hero
Years ago the song asked, "Where have all the hero’s gone?" Today we might ask the same thing. Who are our heroes today? Who do we model our lives after? Who do we want to be like?
In the innocent era of the past our heroes were our parents, the local pastor, the business man down the street who was honest and dependable. TV shows that depict this time are still greatly popular. The Walton’s give us this picture. Andy Griffith also pictures for us this bygone era. Now it seems it is not fashionable for our parents to be our heroes, after all they are only our parents. Today it seems our heroes are people who live on the edge of society. Sports stars who live a lavious and loose lifestyle. We have seen many of these heroes fall or have we. Many times the thing that would have caused them to fall from hero status only enhances their standing with many. Rappers are involved in killings and their stock goes up. Go to the music stores and look at album covers and you will see some scary stuff. Years ago in one of the churches I pastored a girl told me Janet Jackson was here hero. At the time Janet’s new CD cover showed her unclothed. We all know about the so called wardrobe malfunction at the super bowl. She is not quite a biblical hero. So who should be our heroes? Is there anyone in the scriptures who we could look at and say he or she gives us a good example of what a hero should act like? We could choose many people from the Word of God. Certainly we should look to the Lord Jesus as a hero among many other things. Certainly we could look at men like David who after he was involved in a wrong repented. Or Moses or Abraham and many others could give us a picture of a hero. One of the things we notice is that God told the bad stuff on His friends. Still I have chosen for this look at heroes a man who stands out for his character and decision making. Joseph stands out as a hero and a shining example of godliness. Perfect? Certainly not, everyone has sin, a hero, yes because of his reaction to sin. The way he reacted when given the chose of sin’s pleasure and God’s will. The way he handled temptation. The way we react to sin and temptation to sin is the makings of a hero!
I- Looking at Temptation:
May I quickly state that temptation is not sin. We know that temptation is not sin because Christ was tempted to sin and yet was without sin. It is our reaction to temptation that causes it to become sin.
Webster defines sin as, "Inducement to do evil, opportunity to sin."
What is the source of temptation and sin? Notice what the Bible says in James 1:13-15 "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."
Please notice that temptation is only the opportunity to choose right or wrong. We know that if we choose sin it is only pleasurable for a short time. Hebrews 11:24-25 "By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season."
II- Looking At a Hero:
As we look at Joseph, the hero lets look at several important things related to him and his life. Let us learn lessons of a hero.
1- Walk prior to temptation is important. Genesis 39:1-5 A consistent walk is important. Joseph walked with God prior to him being tempted. Genesis 39:5 says, "And it came to pass from the time [that] he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field." God blessed those people around Joseph because of his godly walk. Our walk with God is the foundation of our moral decisions. It should not surprise anyone when we do what is right.
2-. The World’s Kind of Hero. Genesis 39:6-7
Potiphar’s wife is the world’s kind of hero. We see temptation running its course. Remember what James said about the course of temptation. Potiphar’s wife ran the course of events. Joseph was a handsome man. She tried to induce and seduce him to lie with her. The world holds this type of action up now as heroic.
3- God’s Kind of Hero. Genesis 39:8-9
Notice with me the resistance of Joseph to the temptation. May I say this certainly makes him God’s kind of hero.
Young men it is as much your responsibility what happens when you and your girlfriend are out as hers. We see the world blame their actions on everyone but themselves.
Joseph took a stand for what was right and told her. Don’t be afraid to stand for what is right.
Joseph realized that his sin would hurt others not just himself. We see in Genesis 39:8 that his master had given all to his charge.
Joseph realized that all sin is against God. Genesis 39:9
Joseph realized that he had responsibility of good leadership and influence.
III- Sin Keeps Coming at Us: Genesis 39:10-11
Potiphar’s wife tried "day by day." We must constantly keep our guard up against sin. It only takes a moment of let down for sin to happen. We see that in Genesis 39:11 where the opportunity to sin was especially strong for Joseph. Sometimes duty puts us in the path of sin. Notice 1 Peter 5:8-9 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world."
IV- Running Away is not just for Cowards: Genesis 39:12
A hero must be ready to flee. Joseph fled and left the temptation behind him. 1 Corinthians 10:13-14 "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it]. 14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry."
Don’t worry what the world will say or think. Be right with God and it will take care of itself. Look for a way of escape and use. It take a better and greater person to resist sin than to give in to sin. Sinning is easy, fleeing is difficult.
V- Call to be a Hero: Genesis 39:13-14
Joseph ended up in prison from these events. The world will probably make you out to be a villain and accuse you and not understand. They may persecute you and make fun of you for your decision to follow God. Stay true to God and God will use you in a special way. He will make you a hero.